Most Popular Questions

A notary public is a person who can serve as an official witness to the execution (signing) of contracts, agreements, and an almost limitless array of legal documents.

A Notary also has the authority to administer oaths, solemn affirmations, and declarations that are used for affidavits and statutory declarations. A notary public may also certify documents to be true copies of the original.

In some jurisdictions, a notary public can also draft contracts, promissory notes, wills, mortgages and other legal documents. Almost always, the powers of a notary public in each province or state are derived from provincial or state legislation.

One of the main differences between a notary public and a commissioner of oaths is that although both are authorized by the government, the notary public is authorized to certify copies and verify the execution of almost any agreement or legal document in addition to having all the capabilities of a Commissioner of Oaths.

A commissioner of oaths is authorized to administer an oath or declaration made in affidavits and other sworn documents.

The notary will verify the identity of the person signing the document and witnesses the signature. The notary does not explain the content of the document nor does it review the document for accuracy.

One piece of valid government issued photo ID and the original document is required. The person signing the document must appear before the notary. Please do not sign the document until you are in front of the Notary.

Red Seal Notary provides service across Canada. Certain locations are walk-in while others are by appointment only. For by appointment locations, the major intersection is provided for clients to identify the location that is most convenient. To ensure the notary is in the office and available to assist the client, appointments are scheduled prior to providing the exact address. Click here for a list of our locations.

To book an appointment, please call us at 1-888-922-7325, or click here for an online request.

The notary does not verify the content of the document but rather your signature. Therefore regardless of the language the document is in, the notary is able to witness your signature provided you are able to attest to the contents of the document.

Authentication & Legalization

When documents are notarized in Canada for use abroad, such documents must go through a process of “authentication” and “legalization” in order to be valid in the foreign jurisdiction. The combined process of “authentication” and “legalization” is the Canadian equivalent of “apostille certificates” issued in other countries that are signatories to The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (1961). As Canada did not sign this convention, notaries in Canada do not provide “apostille certificate

Documents of Canadian origin that are being used abroad need to be Authenticated and Legalized (Apostilled). Red Seal’s team of staff can take this task out of your hands as we work closely with Authentication Departments, Consulate and Embassies.

In most cases, the process takes about ten business days depending on the complexity of the file and the turnaround time of the embassy or the consulate. However, Red Seal Notary also provides rush service for an additional fee if available which may reduce the turnaround time.

Provided you notify us of such in advance and leave us with your international address, we will ship your documents to you via courier.

Consent to Travel

Due to increasing concern for the safety of children, many governments including that of Canada have initiated special requirements when children under 18 years of age are travelling without both parents.

Specifically, many countries now require that documentary evidence in the form of a notarized consent to travel letter be presented to establish the permission of the parent(s) / legal guardian(s) for a minor to cross international borders with an accompanying adult. This requirement is in addition to other legal requirements as specified by airlines and official authorities.

The parent giving consent to the parent who is travelling with the child/children or the parents giving consent to person travelling with the child/children have to be physically present in front of the notary to sign the letter and the signature to be verified.

A consent to travel letter is not a legal requirement in Canada, but it can simplify travel for Canadian children, as it may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country or by Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. The letter demonstrates that Canadian children have permission from parent(s) or guardian(s) who are not accompanying them to travel abroad.

If there is no criminal record and you have never been fingerprinted for a criminal offence in Canada, the RCMP will make every effort possible to process the request within 72 hours of receiving the electronic submission. This means that the RCMP will put the results in the mail for mailing back to the applicant or third party within 72 hours. In view of this, please ensure sufficient time is allowed for receipt of the results in the mail before commencing inquiries about the status of fingerprint records.

If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, processing time will be increased to 120 days.

No appointment is necessary for the fingerprinting service. However, it is important to make sure the location you are visiting offers this service.

Letters of Invitation

Depending on the country of origin, some foreign nationals wishing to visit Canada must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa. In order to do so, a letter of invitation is often required. This letter is written on behalf of the Canadian resident who wishes to invite the person to apply for a visitor visa.

Once the Letter is prepared and notarized, the person visiting Canada must present the original letter along with their application and other required documents to the Canadian consulate or embassy in their country.

Red Seal Notary offers drafting services as well as notarization of letters of invitation. To expedite the process, it is recommended for the client to complete the online form in order to submit the required information beforehand so that the document is drafted and ready to be reviewed and signed upon arrival. [LINK]

More than one person can invite and sign the invitation letter. All parties signing the document must appear in front of the notary in order to sign the letter.

Affidavits & Statutory Declarations

An Affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.

A statutory Declaration is a written statement of facts which the declarant solemnly states to be true before signing the document.

Most Statutory Declarations appear in standard forms, especially Government forms. However there are some occasions when you need to come up with the Declaration yourself. You may on such occasions be able to choose either an affidavit or a statutory declaration, in which case you can choose whichever wording you prefer.

Red Seal Notary prepares common affidavits and statutory declarations. To expedite the process, it is recommended for the client to complete the online form in order to submitted the required information beforehand so that the document is drafted and ready to be reviewed and signed upon arrival [LINK]